Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
May 4, 2022
The City of Fernandina Beach recognized the value of tourism to the community with a Proclamation declaring the week of May 1-7, 2022, “National Travel and Tourism Week.” Amelia Island TDC Managing Director/Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Mr. Gil Langley and Amelia Island Convention & Visitors Bureau Chief Marketing Officer Amy Boek accepted the Proclamation at the May 3, 2022 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC).
The proclamation laid out the many benefits that the hospitality industry brings to the local economy including: supporting over 36% of jobs, generating 38% of sales taxes revenue, and more than $53 million in net economic benefits.
Langley presented a newly created video available on YouTube that gives a more in depth examination of the importance of tourism to the local economy.
Do these numbers reflect the increased costs of tourism? Wear and tear on roads? Increased police presence? Strain on medical facilities? Need for increased infrastructure (traffic lights, beach access, etc). Mental health costs to locals who can’t get a dinner reservation or find a place to park. Environmental costs of increased automobile pollution, trash, etc. Wish the tourists could be encouraged to pick up their trash!
They don’t care about that Nancy, all they care about is money, the marina, and downtown!
Not protecting our trees and dunes and forests and wetlands is cutting off the hand that feeds us. Tourism, as well as development, is a Ponzi scheme. It relies on short term funds for certain services, but eventually is not enough money to pay for all the consequences. The city commission needs to get serious about protecting all of our trees (including those on private property), dunes, marshlands, and forests. (Check out the boardwalk at Beach Access 6N for the city’s latest boondoggle.)
There is such a thing as “too much of a good thing”. IMHO, we are (and have been) at a tipping point for that here in Fernandina Beach. Might be time to encourage folks to come live, work and play in West Nassau County.
Not a bad idea at all Betsie.